Apparatus and method for protecting fingers and toes during manicure work

ABSTRACT

A finger protecting device for use during manicure work having a top surface and a bottom surface in a meniscus shape so that when the meniscus shape is placed next to a cuticle it masks the skin adjacent to the nail, and a second sheet of nonporous material having two side extensions, both extending outward from the platform in the same general direction, so that when the platform is positioned under the bottom surface of a nail with its top surface facing the bottom surface of the nail, the side extensions extend around the nail, leaving the upper surface of the nail exposed while covering the skin adjacent to the nail.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of hand and foot care and more specifically to apparatus and method for protecting fingers and toes during manicure work.

This invention also relates generally to the field of cosmetics. More particularly, this invention relates to a protector for improving the application of a coloring material, such as nail enamel or lacquer to ones fingernails and toenails Application of the polish within the boundaries of the finger/toenail itself, and not getting any polish on the surrounding skin and cuticle can be difficult. Removing excess or mistakes made while polishing can also be difficult and can create more of a mess, leaving residue or stains on the surrounding skin or cuticle, even when a chemical solvent, usually called polish remover, is used. Many people are sensitive or allergic to the chemical solvent/polish remover that might be used. The difficulty and time needed to accomplish an accurate and beautiful polishing of the nails can be exasperating.

Prior relevant art describes a number of inventions which have been developed in an attempt to make manicure work easier and more accurate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,648 (Dinerstein 1986) discloses a fingernail shielding device bag which covers the entire finger while allowing a nail to extend out of the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,208 (Amour 1987) discloses a nail form for use in extending fingernails and toenails which limits the buildup of excess nail extension by placing a surface under the nail with side bars to protect the side of the nail. However the base of the nail where the cuticle is located is not protected in this patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,369 (Giuliano 1987) discloses a a mold formed for use in preparing artificial nails comprising a well to receive liquid being of the general configuration of a desired artificial nail tip and adapted for receiving a liquid artificial nail coding composition.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,100 (Kawakami 1992) discloses a manicure sheet for use in manicuring fingernails comprised of a left and right pair of masking sheets which are each having an L-shaped incision along one side. This does not allow for a sufficiently accurate protection of the lower base of the cuticle to a finger nail when doing detailed manicure work.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,726 (Rucker 1992) discloses a single piece cuticle protector which does not extend underneath the distal end of the nail.

Thus, a need for a better way to quickly, easily and accurately apply a coating of polish to one's own finger/toe nails, that eliminates the problems associated with application is presented. The present invention is directed to and provides a solution for such problems. Prior technology requires that the protectors be of may different sizes. With the present invention, one size will fit all fingers, one size will fit all big toes, and one size will fit all of the rest of the toes on a normal sized human foot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is To provide an improved apparatus for protecting fingers and toes during manicure work.

Another object of the invention is To provide an improved method for protecting fingers and toes during manicure work.

Another object is to provide a finger/toe skin protector to protect the skin adjacent to the fingernails and toenails from getting nail polish on them while polishing the nails.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a finger and toe protecting device for use during manicure work comprising: a first sheet of nonporous material having a top surface and a bottom surface in a meniscus shape so that when said meniscus shape is placed next to a cuticle it masks the skin adjacent to the nail, an adhesive material covering the bottom surface of said first sheet with a meniscus shape which serves to keep said shape attached to the skin next to the cuticle, a second sheet of nonporous material having a top surface and a bottom surface comprised of a platform and two side extensions, both extending outward from said platform in the same general direction, with an open area between said side extensions, said open area being bordered on two sides by said side extensions and on one end by said platform and having a shape so that when said platform is positioned under the bottom surface of a nail with said top surface facing the bottom surface of said nail, said side extensions extend around said nail, leaving the upper surface of said nail exposed while covering skin adjacent to said nail, an adhesive material covering the bottom surface of the second sheet and positioned so that said bottom surface of said second sheet extensions securely attaches to said skin wherein said platform is positioned under the bottom surface of said nail and said extensions extend around said nail, contacting skin adjacent to said nail.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also disclosed a process for protecting fingers and toes during manicure work comprising the steps of: applying a first sheet of nonporous material having a bottom surface with an adhesive material covering the bottom surface in a meniscus shape next to the cuticle of a finger so that said meniscus shape masks the skin adjacent to the nail, applying a second sheet of nonporous material having a bottom surface with an adhesive material covering the bottom surface comprised of a platform and two side extensions, both extending outward from said platform in the same general direction, with an open area between said side extensions, said open area being bordered on two sides by said side extensions and on one end by said platform and having a shape so that when said platform is positioned under the bottom surface of a nail with said bottom surface facing the bottom surface of said nail, said side extensions extend around said nail, leaving the upper surface of said nail exposed while covering skin adjacent to said nail, performing the desired manicure work, removing the second sheet of nonporous material from the finger, removing the first sheet of nonporous material from the finger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the first shield in place on a finger.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the second shield in place on the same finger.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first and second shield before application to a finger.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first and second shield before application to a toe.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first and second shield in place after application to a finger.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first and second shield in place after application to a toe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention showing the first shield, also known as the first sheet (7) in place on a finger (5) so that it protects the cuticle next to the nail (6). This first sheet (7) is comprised of a nonporous material having a top surface and a bottom surface in a meniscus shape so that when the meniscus shape is placed next to a cuticle it masks the cuticle skin adjacent to the nail. An adhesive material completely covers the bottom surface of the first sheet (7) with a meniscus shape and keeps the first sheet attached to the skin next to the cuticle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the second shield also known as the second sheet (8) in place on the same finger (5). This second sheet (8) of nonporous material having a top surface and a bottom surface is comprised of a platform with two side extensions, both extending outward from the platform in the same general direction, with an open area between the side extensions, the open area being bordered on two sides by the side extensions and on one end by the platform and having a shape so that when the platform is positioned under the bottom surface of the nail with its top surface facing the bottom surface of the nail, the side extensions extend around the nail (6), leaving the upper surface of the nail exposed while covering the skin adjacent to the nail. The first sheet (7) can still be seen after the second sheet (8) has been put into place. In the same fashion as for the first sheet, an adhesive material covers the side extensions of the bottom surface of the second sheet so that the bottom surface of the second sheet extensions securely attach to the skin when the platform is positioned under the bottom surface of the nail (6) and the extensions extend around the nail, contacting the skin adjacent to the nail (6). The second sheet (8) when in place creates a shape similar to a bonnet, thereby creating a protective shield that protects the skin from nail polish/lacquer and also helps to protect the freshly painted nail from receiving knicks or dings. This in turn reduces or eliminates the need to re-do a particular nail, a problem which often occurs during manicure work.

The preferred embodiment of the best procedure for use is to place the first sheet (7) around the finger next to the cuticle first, then place the second sheet (8) under the fingernail next to the skin itself, wrapping the protruding arms alongside digit and placing the ends of the arms on top of the first sheet (7).

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first shield (7) and second shield (8) before application to a finger. The shields comprised of the first and second sheets can be kept on until the polish and any top coat, if used, are dry. When the shields are removed the fingernail or toenail polishing job will be finished and little or no clean-up will be required because of overspill.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first shield (10) and second shield (12) before application to a toe. Notice that to fit a toe accurately, the second sheet (12) generally requires straighter inner platform lines as compared to the curved lines used for the finger protector seen in FIG. 3. This U-shape second sheet (12) for toes has a flat inside edge placed under the toenail proximate to the end of the toe to protect the end of the toe and the skin along the sides of the nails of the toe. Also, the first and second sheets for use with toes will generally be larger to more efficiently fit the size of a person's toes.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first sheet (7) and second sheet (8) in place shielding the nail (6) completely after application to a finger (5). This system creates a bonnet shape protector to provide stain protection from mistakes in polishing and-provides extra protection while polish is drying, resulting in a perfect nail polishing job.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the invention showing both the first sheet (10) and second sheet (12) in place shielding the toenail nail (11) completely after application to a toe (9). As with the fingers, the preferred embodiment of the best procedure for use for toes is to place the first sheet (10) around the toe next to the cuticle first, then place the second sheet (12) under the toe nail next to the skin itself, wrapping the protruding arms alongside the digit and placing the ends of the arms on top of the first sheet (10).

Each top and bottom pair of the protective sheets has an adhesive layer on one side. An entire set of multiple first and second sheet can be placed on one support sheet so that they are easily removable and packaged for ease of use.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A finger protecting device for use during manicure work comprising: a first sheet of nonporous material having a top surface and a bottom surface in a meniscus shape so that when the meniscus shape is placed next to a cuticle it masks the skin adjacent to the nail; an adhesive material covering the bottom surface of the first sheet with a meniscus shape which serves to keep the shape attached to the skin next to the cuticle; a second sheet of nonporous material having a top surface and a bottom surface comprised of a platform and two side extensions, both extending outward from the platform in the same general direction, with an open area between the side extensions, the open area being bordered on two sides by the side extensions and on one end by the platform and having a shape so that when the platform is positioned under the bottom surface of a nail with its top surface facing the bottom surface of the nail, the side extensions extend around the nail, leaving the upper surface of the nail exposed while covering the skin adjacent to the nail; an adhesive material covering the side extensions of the bottom surface of the second sheet and positioned so that the bottom surface of the second sheet extensions securely attach to the skin when the platform is positioned under the bottom surface of the nail and the extensions extend around the nail, contacting the skin adjacent to the nail.
 2. A protecting device for use during manicure work as claimed in claim 1 wherein the the first and second sheet are sized to fit a person's toe instead of a finger.
 3. A finger protecting device for use during manicure work as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second sheets are produced in advance in various sizes to fit different sizes of fingers.
 4. A protecting device for use during manicure work as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second sheets are produced in advance in various sizes to fit different sizes of toes.
 5. A finger protecting device for use during manicure work as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second sheets are pre-cut in multiple sizes, have pre-applied adhesive material applied to their bottom surfaces, and are delivered on one large piece of flexible material so the user can choose and peel off the appropriate size of first and second sheets to fit each finger which is to have manicure work done on it.
 6. A protecting device for use during manicure work as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second sheets are pre-cut in multiple sizes, have pre-applied adhesive material applied to their bottom surfaces, and are delivered on one large piece of flexible material so the user can choose and peel off the appropriate size of first and second sheets to fit each toe which is to have manicure work done on it.
 7. A process for protecting fingers during manicure work comprising the steps of: applying a first sheet of nonporous material having a bottom surface with an adhesive material covering the bottom surface in a meniscus shape next to the cuticle of a finger so that the meniscus shape masks the skin adjacent to the nail; applying a second sheet of nonporous material having a bottom surface with an adhesive material covering the bottom surface comprised of a platform and two side extensions, both extending outward from the platform in the same general direction, with an open area between the side extensions, the open area being bordered on two sides by the side extensions and on one end by the platform and having a shape so that when the platform is positioned under the bottom surface of a nail with the top surface facing the bottom surface of the nail, the side extensions extend around the nail, leaving the upper surface of the nail exposed while covering the skin adjacent to the nail; performing the desired manicure work on the finger so protected; removing the second sheet of nonporous material from the finger; removing the first sheet of nonporous material from the finger.
 8. The process in claim 7 wherein the first and second sheets are sized to fit a person's toe and the manicure work is performed on their toes instead of their fingers. 